Enough is enough. The City Council of Russellville needs to just go ahead and make a decision on the new Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market.

There is no need in piddling around any longer.

Norman Judd

Russellville

Volunteer deputy program

With more and more Americans becoming concealed carry permit holders, why don’t the individual counties and Sheriff departments not create and promote a volunteer deputy program?

The new deputies have already been confirmed and verified, with a substantial background check preformed, verified and duly authorized.

These people would increase the police presence, enhance the public’s perception of gun carriers and licensees, reaffirm the Second Amendment, as well as state sovereignty.

In my opinion, this is win, win , win for all.

Tom Irving

Russellville

The new Walmart Neighborhood Market

I don’t get it. I haven’t heard anybody mention East/West Parkway yet for Walmart’s new produce store. I thought that’s what all that “development” was for!

There’s plenty of empty space there and surely there would be no problems with zoning, neighbors, noise or traffic. In building on Parkway, the market would become an anchor around which other businesses would locate.

And one would think the property would be cheaper on Parkway as opposed to West Main Street.

Then another question: Why was all that work done on Phoenix Avenue extending it out to Tech from Parkway? Was that meant to be a fancy bicycle path for Tech students — to nowhere? The area on Parkway east of Phoenix would be an ideal spot for the market — for Tech students and employees, traffic from St. Mary’s Hospital, and it would stimulate business in the older downtown area and Train Depot. And let’s admit it, most people seem to be against the Vancouver location.

Walmart executives need to stop looking at all the numbers, marketing studies and what Russellville can do for them, and start thinking about what they can do for Russellville.

Then, it won’t matter where they’re located, the business will come to them.

Finally, something’s going on in regard to East/West Parkway that nobody seems to want to talk about. I don’t know what it is, but —I don’t get it.

Joe Peldun, Jr.

Lamar

Cotton was right

Tom Cotton was right in voting against the Hurricane Sandy Aid bill.

This bill is an excellent example of what is wrong with Congress! Everyone wants to help the victims of the Hurricane Sandy — but the Democrats in the Senate loaded the bill with pork barrel projects that had nothing to do with the Hurricane Sandy victims!

The bill should have been amended to remove all that pork barre and sent back to the Senate.

Gene Willis

Dardanelle

Time to move forward

I have been very pleased with our present elected and appointed officials as they seemed to have brought together a previously divided community. The things they have accomplished and the things they are planning are exciting.

We have much to be proud of, but the present bickering and posturing have brought back bitter memories of the past. It is good to have a healthy debate and examine issues from all angles, but the present issue of the Walmart Neighborhood Market needs to move forward. There will always be those who are dissatisfied and there is truth to their concerns as it relates to a few. As I see it, our officials have an obligation to move forward for the greater good while minimizing the harm some may suffer. They have done this to my satisfaction. Both sides have made compromises. Isn’t it time to move forward? Let’s trust those who have brought us together. They have brought wise leadership in the past and are bringing us the progress that will serve the future of our community.